|
San Diego
San Diego calls itself "America's Finest City," a difficult slogan to live up to, but one you'll likely agree with if for no other reason than the city's marvelous weather. This is sunny Southern California at its best; the region centered about downtown very rarely sees temperatures above 80 in summer and below 40 in winter--courtesy of prevailing Pacific Ocean breezes--and only about 10 inches of annual rainfall.
But while catching some rays on one of San Diego's postcard-beautiful beaches is mandatory, it's certainly not the only way to enjoy your stay. You could spend an entire day just wandering through Balboa Park even if you didn't step inside a single one of its 15 museums; their ornate Spanish-style exteriors are worth a look just by themselves. And then there's the park's outstanding San Diego Zoo with its lovely, leafy habitats designed to appeal to both animal residents and human visitors alike.
Hiking along Point Loma's bluffs in Cabrillo National Monument will make your heart beat faster either due to the exercise or the stunning vistas; take your pick. And you won't have to shun the sun just to go shopping either: Such locales as Seaport Village, Horton Plaza and the Gaslamp Quarter let you savor San Diego's balmy climate while souvenir hunting in an eye-pleasing, alfresco setting.
So, what about the claim of being "America's Finest City"? San Diegans might be accused of excessive pride if they didn't have Mother Nature on their side.
The Mormon Battalion
During the Mexican War (1846 to 1847), the United States government recruited the Mormon Battalion, which consisted of over 500 men recruited in Iowa from westbound Mormon pioneer companies.
Visit the Mormon Battalion Visitors' Center in Old Town San Diego to learn more about this remarkable group, the sacrifices they made, their contributions to the settling of California, and the reason they were willing to travel so far. Free guided tours and video presentations are available.
San Diego Temple
The San Diego temple in San Diego serves the county's 60,000 Mormons.
|
|
